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Other Newspapers from Winona, Minnesota

Other Editions from Friday, August 26, 1949

Winona Republican-Herald, The (Newspaper) - August 26, 1949, Winona, Minnesota SHOWERS TONIGHT COOLER SATURDAY VELVET VOICE OF RADIO VOLUME 49, NO. 162 WINONA, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 26, 1949 FIVE CENTS PER COPY EIGHTEEN PAGES Bribery Sentencing Wednesday RaiL man N. H. Williams Dies Under Freight Car Inspector Run Over While Working at A-D-M Railyards Nicholas H. Williams, car inspector lor the Chicago North Western railroad, was killed this morning while working under a car in the Archer-Daniels-Midland company switchyards. Williams, 57, apparently had been checking the wheels when either an A-D-M tractor or a railroad switch engine was hooked onto it and mov- ed the car a few feet. Time of the accident had not definitely been ascertained. Williams is known to have talked to an A-D-M company employe about 9 a. m. The body first was seen under the car about a. m. by Robert Bohn, a switch engine helper. His engine passed the car under which the. body lay, Tools Bent TChe car Inspector's tools, found near the body, were bent and bloody and officials believed the victim died without warning while he was at work. Williams, who lived at 702 East Mark street, had been employed by railway In Winona since 1913. I One of his fellow employes stated that he and Williams recently had been talking about retirement plans which were to become a reality for Williams In a short time. Native of Winona Mr. Williams was a native of Winona, born here March 24, 1892. Survivors are his wife, Frances; a son, Don, who operates Don's Gro- cery at 252 East Third street, and a daughter Irene, Minneapolis, and two stepchildren, Edmund and De- lores. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. It was not ascertained whether Williams was killed while a switch engine "A'as moving the cars or when an A-D-M company tractor moved the cars earlier in the morning. Evidence showed that the body had not been dragged from the po- Killed in Switchyard The Alsops U.S. Must Act Soon In Asia Police Officers, Archer-Daniels-Midland officials and railroad employes are shown at the scene of the accident in which Nicholas H. Williams, 57, Chi cago North Western car inspector, was killed this morning in'the A-D-M company switchyards. The covered body of Williams in under the car awaiting the arrival of County Coroner Dr. E. B. Tweedy. Republican-Herald photo Nassau, Bahamas, for south Florida's gold coast. All south Florida was braced for the storm which whirled toward this wealthy Atlantic resort area at an 18 to 20 miles an hour pace on a west-northwest course. If the present course Is main- tained, the hurricane will strike, the mainland a short distance north of Miami this afternoon. A high flow of southern wind-Over Florida may cause the storm to take a more northward course about sition in which it was discovered, the time it reaches the coast and There was some speculation that'cause it to buzz saw along the the body may have been wedged be- j thickly-populated area between Mi- neath the car and shaken loose! ami and Palm Beach. Florida Braces For Hurricane Kiami, Fla. tropical hur- Maragon Refuses To Talk at JVobe accountant testified today that John Maragon By Stewart Alsop great effort by the United States is required to prevent Asia succumbing to Soviet power, which would certainly be the prelude of a third world war. But no effort will be enough unless we know, not only at we tit. not want a communist Asia, bui, wlnit kind of Asia do want. In considering this question, it is useful to recall what has happened in Indonesia. Last summer, after years of backing and filling be- tween the Dutch and the Indones- ian nationalists, the the State de- partment made up its mind. Ihe United States would bet on the Ir- donsians. This decision was the right decision, if only for the wholly practical reason that the Dutch clearly could not in the ljug run hold Indonesia by military meanc. Worth was' TnspenSed" Wednesday 35 an to Undersecretary Dan New B-36 Probe Suspects Sought By Douglas B. Cornell investigators took off today on the trail of additional suspects who may have spread discredited charges of fraud and favoritism in the B-36 bomber program. Actual hearings are at a standstill for six weeks while agents of the House armed services committee dig for more facts. The hearings produced a spec- tacular climax yesterday: 1. The complete lifting of any suspicions of corruption from Secretary of Defense John- son, Secretary of Air Symington, Industrialist Floyd Odium and everybody else connected with the development of the giant, intercontinental bomber. That was by unanimous action of the committee. 2. An equally complete re- pudiation of all the charges and rumors of irregularities con- tained in a once anonymous memo. That was by the author of the document, suspended Navy official Cedric Worth, He got Goetzman Case Discussed By Golling, Lynch j St. Possible criminal action against a fifth Winona coun- I ty commissioner was to be discussed I today at a conference between Rich- lard Golling, state public examiner, [and James Lynch, Ramsey county plenty of help in his repudiation from committee counsel Joseph B. Keenan. i, The Navy, much embarrassed, or- dered an investigation of its own. It set up a court of inquiry, to con- vene next Monday, to "inquire par- ticularly as to whether other per- sons military or civil, under the Navy department participated in or instigated or had knowledge of the preparation of the said document." Worth Suspended leadership originally had a stronglasSstant" pro-communist aJKimball. number of the leaders had attend- ed the kremlin's schools in Moscow. But as soon as it was made clear that the United States was willing to bet on the Indonesians, the In- donesians promptly bet on the Unit- ed States. Crush Communists Even while they were fighting ;he Dutch, the Indonesian national- lists crushed a communist bid for ricane with winds up to 120 miles made bank deposits of during a'five-year period in which their own ranks. They per hour passed north of picturesque I he has said his income was only around Carmine S. Bellino, accountant for the Senate investigations from when a switch engine hooked up to the cars. Death Accidental County Coroner R. B. Tweedy ar- rived at the scene at and after said death The center of the second hurri- cane of the season passed 'nearly over or slightly north of' the Ba- hamas capital shortly after a. m. In a 7 a. m. (C.S.T.) bulletin the Miami Weather bureau said the i storm had picked up intensity dur- at the A-D-M company plant, said j ing the night with highest winds it was the usual procedure for estimated at between 110 and 120 miles an hour Because of the erratic nature of the storm, hurricane warnings cov- ered a 142-mile stretch of the Flor- a brief investigation was accidental. Harvey G. Hogan, superintendent company tractors to shuffle cars in the yard preparatory to loading and oaiiuiiic o. .Dcimiu, u.uuuuiiua.iiL lUi uiic jitvcduiBCVtALUid committee, gave the testimony at the group's hearings on peddling ofjfroscow> them. From so violent a demon- a wall unloading. "There is no concise evidence pointing to the fact Williams killed while a tractor was moving the cars, he said. Railroad employes at the scene, however, were of the opinion Wil- liams had been killed before their switch engine had coupled to the cars. i Ida east coast from Vero Beach! south to the greater' Miami area, and inland to include the Lake Okeechobee region. Storm warn- ings flew over most of the state not included in the hurricane area. South Florida rushed preparations for the approaching storm. Vatican Radio Promises Revelation by Holy See By Philip Clarke Vatican Vatican radio has urged the faithful to await A "great revelation" b'y the Holy See concerning the tomb of St. Peter. This advice, it was learned, is the only authoritative Vatican com- ment yet made on American newspaper reports that St. Peter's bones have been found under St. Peter's Basilica here. The Vatican radio rebroadcast the summary of an article appear- ing this week in the Catholic Ac- tion newspaper Quotidiano, head- ed "premature news and confident awaiting." lieving, others disbelieving the ac- count. The Vatican radio and Quotidi- ano said: "This information does 'not have the character of innova- A director of Vatican radio having been published by the repre- press of various countries in other the Associated Press "this sents our views." i circumstances. Neither the Vatican radio nor! they added, "it is Quotidiano ventured to predict I Well to observe that in an import- whether the Holy Sen's forthcom-1 ant and delicate one shoulrt adhere to official and definite news which step by step comes to Chris- ing revelation would announce whether St. Peter's bones actually had been found. Neither was there any hint re- garding the nature of the expect- ed revelation, presumably to be made by Pope Pius XH at some future date. The New York Times reported recently that the bones of the apos- tle were understood to have been found less than 20 feet below the pavement of the Basilica. Vatican sources unofficially have labelled the report fantastic. Comment within the Vatican re- portedly is divided some be- tianity. "And it is not without profound significance that one who divulged (such news) up to now on two solemn occasions was the pope." The Vatican radio and Quotidia- no recalled that the pope on May 13, 1942, spoke of archeological work, then only recently begun in the grotto of the Vatican. The pontiff said the findings had demonstrated, among other things, that the Basilica of St. Peter was built on the tomb of the Prince of the apostles. Mr. Five by Five Plans to Reduce Atop Steel Pole Birmingham, Ala. A onetime auto racer measures exactly five-by-five says his ex- cessive weight makes him sleep too much, so he's going to do something about it. Percy Coplon weighs 357 pounds. He plans to climb atop a 30-foot steel pole September 1 and stay there without food for 100 days. The 53-year-old heavyweight says it's all in the interest of science. "Anything can be cured by fasting and drinking pure wa- declares Coplon, who is 60 inches tall and 60 inches around the middle. He plans to drink two gallons of water a day. A small house six-by-six feet has been built atop the pole for Coplon's comfort. "I don't want the wind to whisk me away up the bulky one explains. 25-Day Vacation In House Begins Washington House mem- bers headed homeward today for a 25-day the ap- proval of the Senate. The House members won't return until September 21, except for a handful who will remain here to conduct formal "no business" ses- sions, twice a week. Those are nec- essary because the Senate would not agree to an outright adjournment. The holiday was voted amid cheers yesterday in a simple resolu- n after members got tired of waiting for the Senate to approve a joint measure. That would have permitted House adjournment with- out informal sessions in the mean- time. influence in government. Maragon, a mystery man about town in Washington, simply would- no turning back. n't talk at all. The Senate is unable to leave Washington because it has more work than ii can handlle. The twice weekly House sessions, every Tuesday and Friday, are nec- essary because the Constitution does not allow oc.e chamber to adjourn without consent of the other for more than three week days at any time. That can be done only''by 'joint resolution. He wouldn't even say, when ask- ed by Chairman Hoey whether he had testified before the committee behind closed doors July 28. John Maragon's attorney said to- day he advised Maragon to "stand on his constitutional right and re- Ifuse to answer certain questions" I at the Senate five percenter in- quiry. Maragon did testify July 28. The committee has since released a transcript of his testimony. Among other things, Maragon swore then that he had never re- ceived any payments for negotiat- ing business with government agen- cies. Today, Hoey asked him if he had not given such testimony. Silence Maintained Maragon said with a slight ac- cent, "I refuse to answer on ad- vice of -counsel on the ground that my answer might tend to incrim- inate me." He gave the same answer when Hoey asked if he had not testified in private session that he had no other income in 1945, 1946, and 1947 beyond certain" sums which had been mentioned. Bellino said that in a closed ses- sion with the committee last July 28 Maragon repeatedly had said that he had no bank accounts ex- cept here in Washington. But later, Bellino said, Maragon remembered an account he had opened in San Antonio. Bellino said Maragon listed his total income as only to 000 a-year. Yet, he said, deposits in three bank accounts added up to Maragon has never held any of- ficial position in Washington. The committee got testimony ,that as late as last June, Army officials were under the impression that Maragon was acting as a liaison between the White House and Sec- retary of Defense Johnson's office. Maragon has said he is a close friend of Major General Har- ry Vaughan, the President's Army aide. The committee has received copies of numerous letters Vaughan has written befriending Maragon. Maragon was- attached in 1945 to a elections mission sent to Greece. Dr. Henry F. Grady, who headed that mission, advised the commit- tee that Maragon was a "nui- He said he would have fired the State department not beaten him to the punch. Indonesian nationalists committed attorney. The is Carl J. No Leniency Indicated by Judge Gates Gensmer's Condition Remains Uncritical After Heart Attack By Gordon Holte Two resigned 'Winona county commissioners and one former commissioner today faced the pos- sibility that they may draw prison terms. Judge Vernon Gates of Ro- chester will return here next week to impose sentences in district court in the county board bribe case. An indication that jail sentences may be levied was given by Judge Gates at the conclusion of a two- hour pre-sentencing questioning session in district court Thursday of afternoon. after William West Burns Valley, a Winona sub- urb. Goetzman was named in a bri- bery report by Golling that to date has resulted in guilty pleas by three K. Beach and Fred of whom resigned from the board earlier this former com- missioner Prank Preston had been Before the House commitee, withj Keenan cracking executed one of the whip, Worth) the most sensa-j tional flip flops ever seen on a con- gressional witness stand. He withdrew his "unscrupulous man" description of Odium, board chairman of Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Company, makers of the B- 36. Ilab HI gUiitiy JJiCllO WV __ Winona county commissioners, regarding bribery deals a former commissioner. cited in a recent 36-page report of Colling said today that action county board transactions prepared by State Public Examiner Richard A. Golling. After hearing each of the men who had confessed the accepting of bribes, Judge Gates released the three on their own recognizance. He emphasized that "I want it understood that this is not to be construed that any of you will get leniency. There might very well be imposed sentences in the state prison or penitentiary." Extra Clothes He then added, "When you return for sentencing, it might be a good idea if you brought some extra clothes with you. You may need them." Following a consultation with County Attorney W. Kenneth Nissen yesterday afternoon, Judge Gates declared that he would return here against Goetzman may originate in St. Paul because rhe incident on which such action would be based is said to have occurred there. The public examiner accused Goeizman of soliciting and receiv- ing from James P. Ryan of the George Ryan Company, Min- neapolis equipment firm, at the an- nual 'convention of the Minnesota Association of County Commission- ers last January in St. Paul. G.A.R. Vet, 102, Flies to Meeting Long Beach, Calif. Chipper Charley Chappei, one of'the last ofj Wednesday at 2 p.m. to impose sen- the old boys in blue, has hopped up! tences on Beach, Roberton and He admitted to Representative'from his bed again, hoping to be of whom had been Bates (R.-Mass.) that he has no'di-1 the last national commander of the of loose, false statements." While Worth, a former newspa- per and movie, writer, said'nobody collaborated with him, Keenan said he thinks the charges from which tional get-together of the' boys in themselves to anti-communism while American policy in China was crumbling in ghastly failure, and while communism. clearly seemed to be riding the wave of the future all over Asia. In short, they bet on the United States when the United States looked like a very bad bet. And the situation in Indonesia is now the most hopeful in all South- east Asia. This suggests the almost magic power which the United States, for all its failure in China, is still cap- able of exercising in Asia. But American power has magic only when, as in Indonesia, it is married to what is certainly the basic pol- itical force in Asia nationalism. And precisely the same thing is true of communist power. The two countries where commun- ism is now closest to full power are China and Indo-China. And these are the countries in which nationalism has been most cleverly exploited by the communists. Fortunately, the have not always been clever. (Continued on Page 12, Column many of the hints in Worth's memo i morrow at Grand Army of the Republic. As usual Charley, 102 last July 7, is doing it the fastest way. He's go- ing to fly' tomorrow night to the G.AJS.'s last encampment at Indian- apolis. That's the way the spry old vet- eran went to the convention last year too. Then he said: "I want to get there in a hurry, rect or indirect knowledge of any corruption, fraud, collusion, influ- ence or favoritism in the B-36 pro- gram. Voicing regret time after time un- der prodding from Keenan, the wit- ness'agreed that he had: Great Error Made a "great "done the Navy no brought about heart- aches and "a great disservice to the American and spread "a back home. I'm still fairly help get our business transacted, and! a bribe. arraigned in district court late Thursday morning and pleaded guilty to charges of having accept- ed bribes in connection with certain county board equipment purchases. Still to be arraigned is August H. Gensmer of Bethany who was stricken with a heart attack in the district courtroom Thursday morn- ing while waiting to be arraigned on a charge of agreeing to accept active, you know." This year it's just a little differ- Worth backed down originated in other and higher places. "The area of infection is wider and he said. Committee Chairman Vinson (D.- Ga.) told reporters he is in no posi- tion to decide whether Worth, in the words of a newsman, is "covering up somebody else." He simply point- ed to the next order of business on the inquiry work sheet: Sourced Checked "Locate and identify the sources from which the charges, rumors and innuendoes have come." They came partly from Represen- tative Van Zandt a member ent. For one thing, it's the final na- blue before the G.A.R. disbands. So there'll be an awful lot of yarn swapping, at which Charley excels. WEATHER FEDEKAL FORECASTS For Winona and vicinity: Scat- tered showers or thunderstorms to- night or early Saturday, followed by fair and cooler late Saturday. Low tonight 66; high Saturday 84. LOCAL WEATHER Official observations for the 24 hours ending at 12 m. today: Maximum, 98; minimum, 73; jof Vinson's committee. Weeks ago he noon, 92; precipitation, none; sun jput speech tonight-at sun rises to- ALSOPS 'that something was wrong. Additional weather on Page 10. for Harry Moscow Pietro Nenni, lead- er of Italy's prorcommunist Social- ists, compared President Truman to- day with. Hitler and. Napoleon. He American chief execu- the (policeman) of bourpiOJa -reaction." John Maragon, right, Washington mystery man, smokes a cigarette as he testifies today before the Senate investigating committee in its five percenter probe in Washington. He spent most of his time refusing to answer questioning on advice of his counsel, Myron G. Ehrlich, left. (AJ. Wirephoto to The Republican-Herald.) In Hospital The 47-year-old third district com- missioner who submitted his res- ignation to County Auditor Richard' Schoonover earlier Thursday is still in the Winona General hospital. His arraignment will be postponed until he is able to appear In court. Gensmer's attorney, Harold K. Brehmer, appeared in court yester- day afternoon to explain that his client apparently was not In critical condition but that he probably would be confined in the hospital for at least five days or a week. Brehmer said Gensmer would re- quire a period of complete rest at home before physicians would allow him to return to court. Judge Gates ordered that the arraignment be continued until such a time cs Gensmer would be able to appear. County. Attorney Nissen stated this morning that at least one- of the equipment salesmen who are named by Golling as having given bribes would be arraigned in mun- icipal court next Wednesday. Formal Complaint A formal complaint already has been prepared charging Raymond McMullen of Minneapolis with hav- ng given bribes and at least one more salesman has been mentioned as eligible for prosecution. Nissen explained that several salesmen named in the Golling re- port have immunity from prosecu- tion by. a statute which grants im- munity to those who have given testimony regarding the trans- actions and refuse to waive immun- ity from prosecution. With the courtroom nearly filled with perspiring spectators, yester- day's questioning session got under way at 2 p.m., and lasted until just a few, minutes-before 4 p.m. Judge Gates, who had appeared In a business suit when he heard the pleas of the three men yester- day morning, wore his black jud- icial robe when he took the bench for the afternoon session. Formality Waived When second to be the stand, Gates smiled and asked him if he would- n't be more comfortable if he took off his coat. As Roberton removed his suit coat, Gates turned to the gallery and remarked that "any of you who wish to take off your coats may at any time. I guess that we can't hold to formality on a' day like this." The first to be questioned, Beach' was on the stand .for the longest period and almost the same ques- tions asked him were directed at the other two accused men. Gates asked each if he had any-. thing he wished to say at the con- clusion of the quiz period but onlj (Continued on Pace 3, Column BRIBERY K